College of the Siskiyous 2013 gridiron schedule: Eagles ready for some FB

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By Bill ChoyDaily News Sports Editor

Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

By Bill ChoyDaily News Sports Editor

Posted Jul. 31, 2013 at 8:17 AM

By Bill ChoyDaily News Sports Editor
Posted Jul. 31, 2013 at 8:17 AM

WEED

WEED — The 2013 schedule should look quite familiar to the College of the Siskiyou Eagles football team and their fans.

After all, it has the exact same teams as last year. Even the order of the squad's that COS plays is the same. The only difference is that ball games that were played on the road last year will be at home, and vice versa.

But if this upcoming season goes anything like last year did, the Eagles should be more than happy with the schedule.

In 2012, COS had one of the best campaigns in school history, finishing 10-1 with a win at its own Top of the State Bowl against Chabot.

COS opens the year on Sept. 7 at home versus College of the Redwoods of Eureka.

Head coach Charlie Roche said that it's always great to start the year in front of the home fans.

"I like being home for the first game," Roche said. "It's nice to start the year not having to travel."

Although, he added, going on the road has gone well so far, with Roche going 9-1 in away contests in his time as head coach at COS.

This season, there will be five roads games and five home games. Last year, COS went 5-0 on the road and 5-1 at home.

"Playing on the road has been good for us," Roche said, adding there are not as many distractions. "They are focused."

Fall camp begins on Aug. 12, with Roche saying he was quite busy getting ready. After all, it takes a lot of work to make sure more than 120 players have everything in order before camp begins.

"We're getting close," he said.

And, Roche said, that number should be whittled down to around 90 or so players, including redshirts, with only 60 on the travel squad.

While Roche has to replace a number of key players. including three starters who are now at Division 1 schools, Roche said that just goes with the territory on the two-year college level.

"It's a new team every year," he said.

But, he said, there is still plenty of top returners and newcomers that make him hopeful for another successful year.

"I think we got a good group with lots of talent," Roche said. The key, he said, is for the coaching staff to quickly get the players ready and playing as a cohesive unit by the time the first game rolls along.

"I think we've got potential," he said. "We'll see."

While the team had great success last year and has a number of returners from 2012, Roche wants to have a clean slate and have the Eagles look ahead, work toward success this season – and not think about last year's accomplishments.